Law changes shaping up to be worse than first thought

The Prime Minister needs to be up front about exactly what changes he is planning to make to the Employment Relations Amendment Bill, Labour's spokesperson on Labour Issues Andrew Little says.

Interviewed on Q&A yesterday John Key said he did not think the Bill would change dramatically and that nothing would change "in principle".

"What that really means is changes are likely, and he needs to tell New Zealanders what they are.

"John Key has justified this Bill by saying it's too difficult for employers to get around collective bargaining. That tells us all we need to know: his government wants to make it harder for workers to get together and negotiate with their boss.

"Mr Key talks about the need for more so-called flexibility. But the real problem in the labour market today is that a growing number of New Zealanders aren't being paid fairly for the work they do, and the government is doing everything it can to make it harder for them to get ahead.

"The Prime Minister needs to be honest and open with New Zealanders about his employment law changes. They were already designed to drive down wages and conditions - now it sounds like they are set to make things even worse,” Andrew Little says.

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Donna Fuller commented
2014-10-13 21:06:13 +1300

I wish someone in government would do something about the position of “casual”. So often now employers are expecting you to be available 24/7 and it’s unfair and unrealistic. We need stability to know where we are, what we are going to be paid and when we are going to be at work. We do have lives outside of employment. Employers have it far too easy I feel these days. It’s wrong. Get people working in a stable job with a future so they can plan their future. What is going on right now is not working for the best regarding people that have a second job, family obligations etc. I hope Labour looks at this issue. Thank you.